1. Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC)
2007 International Conference on Nanotechnology for the Forest Products Industry, June 13-15, 2007, Knoxville, TN 
Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC)
for Papermaking
Yong Zou, and Jeffery S. Hsieh
School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

2. Typical properties of the three pulps
Sample
CS Freeness (ml)
Brightness (%)
Bulk (cm3/g) pH
Bleached Softwood
500
90.4
1.45
6.9
Bleached Hardwood
90.7
1.64
BCTMP-softwood
422
69.4
3.51

3. MFC-Lyocell Microfibrillated Fiber

4. Process for Papermaking
The MFC from Engineered Fibers technology, LLC. was dispersed into 1.65% solution
Some of the MFC were refined by Hollander beater equipment
6% the MFC or refined MFC was added into 3% consistence pulp, and stirred and mixed together
Handsheets were produced by the stand TAPPI process-TAPPI T205sp-95 as well

5. The effect of refining process on the MFC’s properties
Sample
Charge pH
Concentration
Freeness (ml)
MFC
-0.20
6.45
0.30
189.4
3hrs-refinery
-0.70
6.72
32.6
6 hrs -refinery
-0.73
6.87
0.29
30.7

6. The effect of Microfibrillated Cellulose on Paper Properties
Sample
Tensile (Kg)
Cobb (30 min.) (g/m2)
MVTR (g/M2.day)
Bleached softwood
Control
7.2
148.2
358.6
MFC (6%)
9.1
186.5
374.7
Δ (%)
+26.4
+25.8
+4.5

7. The effect of Microfibrillated Cellulose on Paper Properties
Sample
Tensile (Kg)
Cobb (30 min.) (g/m2)
MVTR (g/M2.day)
Bleached hardwood
Control
5.5
159.5
335.2
MFC (6%)
5.8
208.1
377.3
Δ (%)
+5.5
+30.5
+12.6

8. The effect of Microfibrillated Cellulose on Paper Properties
Sample
Tensile (Kg)
Cobb (30 min.) (g/m2)
MVTR (g/M2.day)
BCTMP-softwood
Control
4.1
163.6
408.1
MFC (6%)
5.3
176.0
424.1
Δ (%)
+29.3
+7.6
+3.9

12. The effect of Microfibrillated Cellulose on Paper Properties
Sample
Tensile (Kg)
Cobb (30 min.) (g/m2)
MVTR (g/M2.day)
Bleached softwood
Control
7.2
148.2
358.6
MFC (6%)
9.1
186.5
374.7
3hrs refining MFC (6%)
10.1
205.1
376.6
6hrs refining MFC (6%)
10.2
205.2
388.8

13. Conclusions
MFC can improve the tensile strength, water absorption capacity-Cobb value and vapor transfer ability (MVTR) of paper, which was made from hardwood and softwood fiber, especially tensile from softwood increased ~26-30%, vapor transfer ability-MVTR from hardwood improved ~12%; water absorption capacity improved ~8-30%
Refining process can further improve MFC’s efficiency, particularly for tensile and water absorption ability increased ~10%. However, the efficiency of refining process is limit. It therefore should design and develop some new processes to improve MFC’s efficiency.